Today, the American Lung Association in Connecticut announced that it will host its annual Fight For Air Climb Hartford, outside at Dunkin Donuts Park, on June 19, 2021 at 9am for up to 250 participants. The Climb will operate as a hybrid with both outdoor and virtual options. As part of the event’s “Climb Safe Commitment” in-person participants will be required to spatial distance, complete a basic entryway health screen, use sanitation protocols and face masks on site. The Climb will support research, advocacy and education for lung diseases, lung cancer and COVID-19 with a fundraising goal of raising $175,000
As part of the Fight for Air Climb Hartford, the Lung Association has introduced the Climb21 Challenge, empowering participants to “Climb Your Way” for the 21 days leading up to the in-person event. This challenge utilizes the new Fight for Air Climb app (available for Apple and Android devices) and invites climbers to virtually ascend famous landmarks across the globe, like the Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon and Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) leading up to our in person event on June 19.
“The Fight for Air Climb is a treasured community event in Connecticut and we are excited to see it evolve and expand this year, by moving it both online and outside to Dunkin Donuts Park!” said Joy Morse, Development Manager for the American Lung Association in Connecticut. “Our mission to improve lung health and air quality through education, research, and advocacy has never been more important than it is today and we are simply willing to do whatever it takes to advance that mission and improve people’s lives, while keeping our community safe and healthy during this challenging time.”
Courtney Pope, a Bristol, Connecticut resident and lung health advocate will be participating in her second annual Fight for Air Climb Hartford, in support of her dad who was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer. “Helping and caring for my dad on his lung cancer journey has been both a challenge and a privilege. Doing the Fight for Air Climb is just one more way to raise awareness and funds for research and treatments so that he can continue to live a full life. No family should have to deal with this excruciating disease – and there is hope if we continue to put money behind research for a cure.
Courtney has built a team that raised over $4,000 in 2020, and is working to match that in 2021. For more on Courtney and her dad’s story and to support their team visit their team page.
Money raised through the Fight for Air Climb Hartford will fund the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the Lung Association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative. The COVID-19 Action Initiative is a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics. The initiative works with public and private entities to increase research collaboration and develop new vaccines, detection tests and treatment therapies.
There is a $35 registration fee for the Fight for Air Climb Hartford. This year, the Fight for Air Climb Hartford is sponsored by Kindred Healthcare, Kia of East Hartford, the Petit Family Foundation, UCONN Health, Hospital for Special Care and National Health Care Associates and media sponsors Community Access, iHeart Media and the River 105.9. More information and registration are available at FightForAirClimb.org/Hartford
